Bowman’s Hill Tower

This tower on top of Bowman’s Hill represents a lookout tower used in the Revolutionary war. It costs $ 6 a person to go to the top and I highly recommend it. The view is breathtaking. You can see so much of Buck’s county from up there. You can see Lambertville, New Hope, Washington Crossing, and more. Really lovely. We came during the fall but I can just imagine how stunning it would be with the wildflowers down below in the spring and summer.

I have mixed feelings. I live right by the tower, so I walk up the hill almost every day. It’s like a free stair master. KILLER workout. I walk/​jog up and down as i take in the beautiful scenery and feel very lucky to be able to do so.
The tower itself is very cool, but 6 dollars per person to walk up? I was shocked. I could see maybe 2 dollars? Or better yet, ask for donations?
We had a big family party and my uncles and cousins wanted to go check it out but didn’t want to spend over 50 dollars to walk up a flight of stairs. It’s a shame because it’s a nice place to take your family, but it could add up fast depending on how many people you bring.

Had the day off with the hubby and we decided to go to New Hope. On the way there, I expressed a desire to drive up to Bowman’s tower since I had never been in the 6 years that I’ve lived here. We drove up, it was a pretty sunny day. We parked and walked over to the tower. All I wanted was to see the view!
Wow, $ 6? Just to take an elevator up to see a view?! Yes, I understand it’s a historic landmark and must be preserved, but really? $ 12 for the two of us to go up for 5 minutes, take a couple of photographs, and go? There wasn’t even anything else to do up there! Unless you’re in the mood to go cross country hiking through the woods, this is a waste of time. You have more to see at Washington Crossing park by the canal and river for FREE!
I was really disappointed I didn’t get to see the view from the tower but I refuse to spend that much and wouldn’t even let my husband pay for us. $ 6 for both of us? Sure. But not per person.
Suggestion: make it donation based and you’ll get more business. Plus it’ll look like you’re actually reaching out to the community to provide education. That will prompt people to support their historic surroundings!

Visited Bowmans Tower earlier today. What a beautiful day to take a trip to the area however was very disappointed upon arrival. With fond memories of the tower as a child, I was not aware there was a price tag on the adventure. I was surprised by today’s visit that the elevator ride to top costs an individual $ 6. As a family destination this is quite costly to take a family of 5 for an elevator ride. I generally do not intentionally Unilocal with negativity, however a $ 6 elevator ride at a National landmark is shameful.

Bowman’s Hill Tower sits in Washington Crossing Historic Park at a high point along the Delaware River where a most important part of the American Revolution was played out. Construction was part of the Civilian Conservation Corp that put Americans to work during the Depression, and was completed in 1931.
The view from the deck 320 feet above river level is awesome. Especially on a clear fall day, it is possible to see more than 12 miles up and down river, as far as Trenton to the south. The flowing river and changing foliage make for a strong memory. Certainly, Washington would have appreciated having such a tower to use to observe British activities approaching this location.
But, it was not just patriots occupying these fields after the Continental Army was defeated by the British in New York, and Washington beat a hasty retreat through New Jersey into Bucks County to save his remaining troops. Not everyone believed in the cause, and many of the locals actually supported England and did its bidding, including spying and behind the lines mayhem. The infamous Moses Doan was in this vicinity as the plan for the Christmas raid on Trenton was put into operation. He is believed to have crossed the Delaware just ahead of his hunters, and rode to Trenton to warn the Hessians of the coming attack. But, for the fact that the German commander Rahl did not bother to listen to Doan, we might still be speaking with British accents.
So, Bowman’s Tower is worth a visit, and while you are at it, spend a few hours searching the old homes and cemeteries in the Park. From New Hope to Morrisville there is plenty of history to be seen.
The ride along Rt. 32 is worth the price of admission alone.

Pretty! I visited here for the first time yesterday with the boyfriend and almost got lost trying to find it. The GPS also left us in between places so we asked someone on the side of the road and had to pay close attention to every sign on the side.
The sign in the front says they close at 4, we got there at 3:30 so I was worried we wouldn’t get to walk around. No worries though! When you get to the top, you go in the tower for $ 6, look around and leave.
You can either walk up or take the elevator up but there is still a very narrow few steps you’ll need to walk up. Make sure you announce you’re going up or down before you start walking because you might get stuck in the middle if other people are going the other way.
The guy in the visitor center was kind of rude. He was fine at first but when we went to talk to him after we were done, he was clearly looking at me when I started asking him a question but looked away twice. Then the third time didn’t bother looking at me when answering my question.
He did recommend some places for us to hike when we asked that though.
Oh and there are lots of ladybugs on the tower!

Bowman’s Hill Tower is built where part of Washington’s army is thought to have camped to keep lookout on the land and river below that fateful winter in 1776 before crossing the Delaware. As we looked out at the vast views from the tower, including land dotted with farms and houses, we thought of how our nation was set in motion a couple of centuries ago by those brave men. A couple of whom are thought to be buried on this site, and there is a marker for their graves.
The Tower was built as a monument in the 1930’s as part of the work programs of the FDR administration during the Depression. Getting to the top required climbing a narrow, turning stairway. In the 1980’s an elevator was installed and today one rides it to a landing (with small windows) just below the Tower’s top then climbs the narrow stairway a couple of dozen steps to the top.
You’ll need to buy a ticket to ride the elevator, but it is good for entry into several other of the historic attractions on the Washington Crossing tour.
A note: for those with mobility problems, you’ll have access as far as the landing level with views from the windows there. Since people with disabilities who use aids can’t get to the top, the park policy is not to charge those visitors for the ride ticket.
Another note: this Tower is also on the route of the Covered Bridge Tour in Buck’s County. We highly recommend driving that tour route to see the twelve remaining bridges that are lovingly maintained and used by vehicles today. Also, the Bowman’s Preserve is nearby and like the Tower area it is a wonderful place for bird watching. Both at the visitor center there (which unlike the Tower has running water bathrooms… hooray) and also on the many trails.

What a great place! This historic tower has a nature preserve and wildflower tours for kids and parents. A great place for bird watching, too. Climb to the top of the Tower for a fabulous view of the surrounding countryside. Don’t miss a visit to Bowman’s Tower and Wild Flower preserve. (And if you have kids — bring ‘em.)